Bridgman

DUNE DESTINATION

As you drive along I-94 or Red Arrow Highway in Southwest Michigan, take the Bridgman exit. This charming resort town is one of the best along Lake Michigan. It will astound you to see the magnificent dunes and the views of one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world. The cold craft beers and piping-hot wood-fired pizzas will bring your family and friends together. Picking plump juicy blueberries is something your kids will never forget. That’s just the beginning of the fun that awaits all year round.

WHERE IS BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN

Bridgman is along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. It is 13 miles south of St. Joseph or about 25 miles north of the Indiana border. You can reach it by car from I-94 Exit 16 or Red Arrow Highway.

PLACES TO STAY

With over 25 choices within a few minutes of downtown Bridgman, you can find the amenities and rates to meet your vacation needs. Hotels fill fast in the summer months, so make your reservations early to get the dates you want.

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WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN BRIDGMAN

BRIDGMAN

D’Agostino’s Navajo Bar & Grille has been a beloved stop between Detroit and Chicago for decades. Everyone will find something they enjoy on the menu. From appetizers like Asiago bruschetta to homemade minestrone to entrees like filet mignon, bluegill, Chicago-style Italian beef, roasted vegetable ciabatta and build-your-own pizza, orders arrive at your table with friendly service. Families especially like the meal deals.

Emma Hearth & Market’s delicious wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches and more are inspired by the owner’s Italian Nonna Emma and her Southern Italy Calabrian roots. Don’t leave without having a dish of gelato.

Getaway Cubbie Grille is a spot for Chicago Cubs fans. It's also for anyone who likes cold beers, Chicago-style hot dogs, and baseball-themed meals. The Grille is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week because every day is a Cubs’ day.

Haymarket Taproom serves up some of the best wood-fired pizzas for miles. Enjoy 16 brewed- on-site, on-tap craft beers with their sandwiches and salads, indoor and patio seating and music in the summer — all just 1.5 miles from Weko Beach.

Lake Street Eats lives and breathes Bridgman’s friendliness. This restaurant is a blend of sports bar fun, good-time live music and fine dining. Whether you crave a delicious pub burger, spicy wings, juicy steak or delectable seafood, it’s served with your favorite beverages.

Mikey’s Drive-In keeps the retro-carhop vibe going from spring through early October. Pull in for made-to-order burgers, a variety of fries, ice cream, malts, shakes and frosty root beer.

Roma Pizza takes pride in its affordable pizzas made in-house with family recipes and fresh ingredients. Gluten-free pizza and pasta broaden your menu choices.

Scoops Ice Cream is your Bridgman destination for refreshing ice cream, including a non-dairy option. Open Friday through Sunday, mid-May to mid-September.

Transient Artisan Ales is a relaxing place to quench your thirst with various farmhouse ales and hard seltzers, many made with local ingredients and fruits. Don’t have much time? Just passing through? Transient also offers convenient online ordering and curbside pickup.

NEARBY

Cafe Gulistan in Harbert offers a rare find in Southwest Michigan, authentic Kurdish foods. Your taste buds will dance eating Lebanese babaghanoush, Turkish ezme, tabouleh or marinated Kalamata olives before your meal. Follow with a glass of Turkish or Lebanese wine, fattoush salad, Izgarah chicken or shrimp or a falafel platter — a few of the mouthwatering temptations.

Red Arrow Road House in Union Pier has been taking care of locals and vacationers since 1988 in their rustic dining room and outdoor seating. They are best known for their BBQ ribs, Lake Superior whitefish, flavorful broasted chicken and refreshing cocktails.

Timothy’s, also in Union Pier, offers locals and visitors a dining experience ranging from an intimate table for two to a large party of 100. Chef Timothy takes pride in sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms and markets and pushing his culinary limits. His specialty is fish with an Asian flare but you also will find grilled ribeye, a rack of Australian lamb, St. Louis-style ribs and vegetarian choices.

FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN BRIDGMAN

WEKO BEACH & CAMPGROUND

Nestled among 42 acres of picturesque, wooded dunes, Weko Beach offers 960 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, a modern beach house with restrooms, a small craft boat launch, swimming and beach activities and concessions. Visitors can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to experience the beauty of the freshwater. The park makes this easier for everyone with their sand-and-water accessible wheelchair that you can reserve at no cost from May to September. They also have two 50-foot, ADA-accessible Mobi-Mats that bring you from the paved parking lot to the beachfront.

A rambling boardwalk and two observation decks afford panoramic views of the lake and wooded dunes. It also gives access to the dog beach at Warren Dunes State Park.

Free summer music concerts are held on Sundays at 7 p.m. The playing of Taps by a live bugle has been a tradition for nearly 50 years. You can listen every night from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

WARREN DUNES STATE PARK

One of Michigan’s most popular year-round state parks, Warren Dunes is a treasure trove of outdoor adventures and recreational fun. Its towering dunes are amazing. Climb to the top and you can see Lake Michigan for miles. Walk, run or sandboard down them in the warm months. Sled or snowboard on them in the winter. They are a favorite destination for hang gliders, too.

Swim, build castles, paddle and relax along three miles of sandy shoreline. Two free-to-use beach wheelchairs and a track chair are available during the summer to access the water. At the northernmost buoy on the swimming beach, there is a two-and-a-half-mile dog beach where you and your leashed dog can romp and play in the water.

Warren Dunes has six miles of hiking trails, most are moderately difficult and all offer photo-worthy scenery. You can hike them throughout the year, but March through November are the best months.

The park is open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. You will need a Michigan resident or non-resident annual Recreation Passport or daily pass to enter.

COURTYARD PARK

One of Bridgman’s newest gathering places is the Courtyard Park on Lake Street in the Social District. When you are downtown, stop to see the rug mural created by Bridgman High School art students. Enjoy live music concerts at 7 p.m. on Fridays in the summer.

TOTH STREET PARK & DOG PARK

Toth Street Park has a separate large and small dog area to let your pet run unleashed. Fill several action-packed hours playing basketball or corn hole, climbing the playscape, soaring skyward on the swings, walking the track and enjoying a picnic.

CAPTAIN MIKE’S FUN PARK

People come for miles around to play at this popular summertime destination. Pick from go-karts, junior go-karts, 18-hole miniature golf, bumper cars, bumper boats, water cannons and water wars. There is jump shot basketball, batting cages, an arcade room and “The Captain’s Galley” Snack Bar, too. Have a blast making memories!

BRIDGMAN SOCIAL DISTRICT

Bridgman is home to one of Southwest Michigan’s Social Districts. Purchase food and alcoholic drinks from Lake Street Eats and Transient Artisan Ales. Consume them while you window shop and relax in Bridgman’s designated outdoor common area.

MAKERS TRAIL FESTIVAL

Join us at one of Southwest Michigan’s beloved festivals. They will pop corks, tap kegs and pour your favorite spirits ’til sunset at the Makers Trail Festival — held the second Saturday of June at Weko Beach.

Party with gorgeous Lake Michigan to the west and live dancing music and the liquid artistry of our region’s top wine, beer, cider and spirit makers served right on the beach. This event is the perfect chance to try new drinks or stick with your go-to favorites using beverage tickets purchased when you arrive. There are water, soda and juices for your designated driver and you. Plus lots of mouthwatering food dished up at local food trucks.

Order discounted advance tickets online beginning in May. Or purchase them at a higher cost on the day of the event. Children 10 and under are free.

MAKERS TRAIL

Bridgman is one of Southwest Michigan’s Makers Trail towns. It is within minutes of over 40 craft wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries where makers showcase their masterpieces. Following the Trail gives you hours of tasting joy and miles of beautiful scenery.

There is an added reason to visit between September and May. Download the Makers Trail Flight Crew Passport on your phone. The more makers you visit between September and May, the more Passport codes you collect and the more prizes you can earn.

U-PICK FARMS, MARKETS & SHOPPING

Bridgman offers a variety of shopping experiences. Here are a few favorites.

Blueberries flourish in Bridgman’s sandy soil. These big, juicy berries are fun to handpick or grab ready-picked at local farms in August and September. Top choices are Berry Lucky Farms, Bridgman’s Blueberry Farm, Rambo Blueberries and Starbuck’s Blueberry Farm.

For one of the most fragrant experiences, stop at Lavender Bliss Farms, open seasonally beginning in June. Wander through rows of tranquil lavender blooms, cut your own lavender and flower bouquet, and buy handmade treasures from the gift shop.

Bridgman Open-Air Market is one of the most diverse markets in Southwest Michigan. Open from mid-May to mid-October on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this is your source for locally-grown produce and the handiwork of talented regional artists and crafters.

Along Lake Street near the Social District, you can find hand-knotted Tibetan rugs Pushmina shawls, Nepaleese jewelry, lovely silk scarves, adult and children’s clothing and decor at Accents. The Sandpiper/Hoof-to-Hanger Fiber Mill offers a unique and eclectic selection of local, regional and international fiber arts, clothing and yarns. Find great deals on seasonal women’s clothing at the Clothes Horse consignment boutique. Or, for a relaxing break, come on your own or bring your children or friends to paint ceramic bowls and decor at Rebecca's Ceramics.

For an even easier Buy Local shopping and dining experience, order a digital gift card and use it when you visit.

SEE CHICAGO — 54 MILES ACROSS THE LAKE

One of the coolest phenomenons is seeing Chicago’s skyscrapers while standing along the shores of Weko Beach and Warren Dunes State Park. The atmospheric conditions have to be just right, but when it is, Chicago is viewable with your naked eye. A telephoto camera lens, binoculars or telescope improves your view. We hope you can see it on one of your visits — it’s amazing!

BRIDGMAN WEATHER

You can enjoy four seasons in Bridgman. For warm-weather activities, the best time to visit is mid-June to mid-September.

Winter is snowy and mostly cloudy. There is an annual average of 48.8 snowfall days and 11.65" of accumulated snow. January is the coldest month with an average high of 30°F (-1.1°C) at the peak and an average low of 21.2°F (-6°C).

Spring starts with a winter/spring mix in March. It warms to a pleasant 64°F in May.

Summer is warm, but rarely scorching hot. Expect average temperatures of 76°F and a low of 64°F.

Fall starts warm and ends cold and windy. For the best fall color, come from late September to mid-October. Average temperatures range from a high of 72.1°F in September to a low of 36.9°F in November.